Help Create a More Equal Workplace with your Holiday Shopping

It’s still a couple of weeks until Thanksgiving, but I went to the mall this past weekend and was hit with shiny red, green and silver decorations in stores. Yes, the holidays are here. Even before I ventured into stores, my emails were a tip-off. The pre-Black Friday deals have begun to hit my inbox.

Holiday shopping can be hectic. In my experience I’ve found people either love it or hate it. I can see why many feel the latter. While Christmas and Hanukkah are primary reasons many people shop during the holidays, commercialism of the season has been an underlying effect for some time now. Consumers are focused on price, getting the best deal and want their perks like free-shipping. When you’re trying to purchase a limited-edition item and the deal is “while supplies last” it’s no wonder the universal message of caring and helping others may fall of the radar.

However, it doesn’t have to. Holiday giving can also be a time when your gift to a family member, friend, co-worker, or stranger makes an impact. There are many good causes to support this holiday season. This year workplace equality is top of mind for me and thanks to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Holiday Buying Workplace Equality Guide I know what retail businesses prohibit payment discrimination and offer equal healthcare and partnership benefits to LGBT employees and their families.

The guide is easy to use. Here’s how their color code system works (Site to complete guide):

• Green: Businesses/brands, which have the highest marks for supporting LGBT equality in the workplace
• Yellow: Businesses/brands , which have taken steps toward a fair-minded workplace, but still have room for improvement
• Red: Businesses/brands that have to do a lot more to further equality 

Green	Yellow	Red
Barnes and Noble	Burlington Coat Factory	Bed, Bath and Beyond
CVS Health	Enterprise Rent a Car	BJ’s Wholesale Club
JC Penny	KB Home	Hasbro
Nordstrom	Travelocity	Lowe’s
The Walt Disney Company	Whole Foods	Michaels

This holiday season let your buying power have an impact and be sure to share this blog post and the HRC guide with friends and families. Together we can influence change!